Is there place for reasoning in discussions about Christianity?

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Pearlie

Guest
#1
#1
Basic texts on analytical and critical thinking skills tell us a few things:

1. Do not reason with someone who is drunk;
2. Do not reason with someone who is not of sound mind (insane);
3. Do not reason with someone who has made a decision to be unreasonable;
4. The most difficult arguments are those involving religion, sex, race, morals, etc.

On point 4 and focussing on religion or to be more specific, Christianity: One of the reasons why these arguments are difficult is that the scriptures are open to interpretation when not everything is known about the context in which a historical event is captured (e.g. in the Old Testament) or different interpretations are made of parables, similes, analogies and metaphors used to teach in the books of the bible.

I am deeply disappointed in a number of the threads in this forum. The fruits of the holy spirit, especially self-control, patience and peace are so lacking from many of the 'senior' members of this forum that it is difficult to learn from the posts. I have to wade through two or more people SCREAMING at each other to extract valid points and biblical references to help me grow my own understanding of the bible.

If you know of a gentler chat forum where the focus is on learning and guests behave with respect and civility then please direct me to it. I am far from timid but really, this is disturbing. As soon as I receive some guidance on more suitable sites I will leave you all to it.

Thank you to kinder souls who have helped me grow. God Bless.
 
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nathan3

Guest
#2
#2
I know a few people that are able to talk about the Bible, and be relatively civil.

I think why we have so much arguments ; people believe these two verse don't apply to them :


2 Peter 1:20-21



20 Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.



Christians can be very stiff necked. There is also lazy attitude towards looking carefully at what the Bible says.

The Bible gives you a simple equation, 5 + 5. We are all given the same problem , everyone should get the same answer , which is 10. If some one is getting instead, a 6 , or 66 or a 666, then there is a problem ; not with the scriptures, but with their, understanding.
 
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Pearlie

Guest
#3
#3
Thank you for the biblical reference Nathan, now that is useful to me. I think I have a discerning spirit and would recognise the authority of the Holy Spirit speaking through people. What I see instead is rudeness and human ego....
 
HelenTn

HelenTn

Member
#4
Aug 18, 2013
36
0
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#4
I will pray for you tonight. May God guide you.
 
Bookends

Bookends

Senior Member
#5
Aug 28, 2012
4,225
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48
#5
We all need to read James chapter 3.
[SUP]2 [/SUP]For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.

[SUP]8 [/SUP]But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. [SUP]9 [/SUP]With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. [SUP]10 [/SUP]Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
 
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Pearlie

Guest
#6
#6
Thank you Helen, I have faith that He will.
 
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Pearlie

Guest
#7
#7
Thank you Bookends. Already there is wisdom, grace and kindness in the tone of this thread even though it is not a 'pretty' conversation asking Christians to take the 'I' and 'me' out of their caustic responses.
 
RedTent

RedTent

Banned
#8
Oct 31, 2011
8,200
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#8
I think we need to understand that there really are forces in our world that are working on cc against the Lord.
Eph_6:12
 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

These forces have certain definite characteristics, just as the Lord has, one is to distort scripture, satan in a liar, and there is always hate. We are coming near the end times according to the signs we are to watch for and we are told it will be a time of lawlessness. You can see posts working to destroy law, as well as to spout hate. He is even using people who think they are working for God by convincing them it is for God they should be hateful.

I don't think we should run from this but face it using all the power of the Lord without flinching. I am alarmed that I see many wonderful people who work for the Lord being frightened away by these forces. We don't need to be frightened or even amazed at them, we need to only stand tall and solid on our firm foundations.
 
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brmicke

Senior Member
#9
Sep 6, 2012
276
6
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#9
Mt 10:34 Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword.
 
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BeanieD

Guest
#10
#10
"I don't think we should run from this but face it using all the power of the Lord without flinching. I am alarmed that I see many wonderful people who work for the Lord being frightened away by these forces. We don't need to be frightened or even amazed at them, we need to only stand tall and solid on our firm foundations. "

Amen to this :rolleyes:
 
p_rehbein

p_rehbein

Senior Member
#11
Sep 4, 2013
30,297
6,590
113
#11
Pearlie........I can identify with your OP..... I also struggle with reading comments on Christian Forums which appear to lack Christian love and kindness towards others.......Such a Forum as you are looking for probably does not exist in this world for it is a fallen creation is it not?

One problem is that Christians can be quite spirited in speaking/defending their particular interpretation of Scripture.......this is called "sharpening the steel" in Scripture I believe......Passionate believers who are also human beings are not perfect, so the "Perfect Forum" can not exist in my opinion.........I wish it could, for I would surely join you there.......

There are so many theological points that cause denominational differences to be born it is only reasonable that spirited debates will occur..........One thing I look for is how "active" the Moderators of a Forum are, and how they address "spirited" debates/arguments should these become insulting accusations and such........If a Forum is properly Moderated, then I believe you would find less of these kind of threads appearing......

One idea is for the Admin to create a Forum such as "General Discussion" and stipulate in the Rules for that particular Forum that NO ARGUMENTS will be tolerated, and then have one or more Moderators assure that the Rules are adhered to.....This gives Members who do not want to engage in Denominational arguments a Forum to participate in without worrying about personal attacks or insults or such.

I am new here at CC, so this is just my opinion/thoughts.......am still wading through all the various Forums to see what's what. God bless...........
 
oldhermit

oldhermit

Senior Member
#12
Jul 28, 2012
9,143
612
113
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Alabama
#12
Pearlie said:
Basic texts on analytical and critical thinking skills tell us a few things:

1. Do not reason with someone who is drunk;
2. Do not reason with someone who is not of sound mind (insane);
3. Do not reason with someone who has made a decision to be unreasonable;
4. The most difficult arguments are those involving religion, sex, race, morals, etc.

On point 4 and focussing on religion or to be more specific, Christianity: One of the reasons why these arguments are difficult is that the scriptures are open to interpretation when not everything is known about the context in which a historical event is captured (e.g. in the Old Testament) or different interpretations are made of parables, similes, analogies and metaphors used to teach in the books of the bible.

I am deeply disappointed in a number of the threads in this forum. The fruits of the holy spirit, especially self-control, patience and peace are so lacking from many of the 'senior' members of this forum that it is difficult to learn from the posts. I have to wade through two or more people SCREAMING at each other to extract valid points and biblical references to help me grow my own understanding of the bible.

If you know of a gentler chat forum where the focus is on learning and guests behave with respect and civility then please direct me to it. I am far from timid but really, this is disturbing. As soon as I receive some guidance on more suitable sites I will leave you all to it.

Thank you to kinder souls who have helped me grow. God Bless.
Click to expand...
I post on eight different forums and they are all pretty much like this.
 
Q

Quickfire

Guest
#13
#13
depends if your starting a nice topic, yes, but if its one of malice ,, no
 
G

GreenNnice

Guest
#14
#14
Sometimes, too, one's own reasoning will get them in trouble with their own way of viewing doctrine, worse yet, who God really is, and, what He stands for. I will say this: God Loves everyone. We should Love Him back because of this. God sent His Son to the world because He so Loved the world, He died for sinners, He came to Earth to SAVE the sinners, and, to do so He knew would be tough, of the 'sword' variety, not of 'peace.'

And, when you discuss things with others of doctrine or anything , keep in mind that our faith, and, our hope PALE in comparison to Love when it comes to what Paul said in His God-inspired words is GREATEST .

Love :)
 
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Pearlie

Guest
#15
#15
Dear Redtent, thank you for your contribution to this discussion. I personally do not believe that everything we do wrong can be blamed on the devil, evil, dark forces, etc. This approach gives human beings an excuse to not take responsibility for their actions and gives satan too much glory!

It is also not about being frightened, just disappointed at having my hopes dashed that I would be able to learn from different interpretations of scripture. The disagreements were not of such a nature that scripture was being misinterpreted and lies told to further an agenda against cc, it was plain rudeness and ego. So the message was not corrupted, the medium was.
 
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Pearlie

Guest
#16
#16
Thank you for your contribution p_rehbein. I suppose then that if you take up the responsibility to be a moderator then you should understand and address the challenges that come with the function. Thank you for your advice. I will take the time to form an opinion of the moderation process when I consider which site to join in future. Thank you for a carefully-constructed message that demonstrates the gentleness and respect I was referring to as being lacking in many of the discussions here and that got me started in the first place. God bless.
 
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Pearlie

Guest
#17
#17
That is disturbing. Perhaps I am naive. Let me correct that before I get a barrage of positive replies....I AM naive:p
 
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Pearlie

Guest
#18
#18
Hi Quickfire. Thank you for your contribution but I have to disagree with you. I have seen some really interesting and relevant topics raised with no intention in malice. A topic is raised and then 2 or more screaming matches ensue that causes major embarrassment to the originator who then has to become a peace-maker to calm egos. I love the topics here, albeit a bit repetitive year-on-year.
 
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Pearlie

Guest
#19
#19
Thank you for your contribution GreenNice. I do understand that trying to reason through doctrine may as you say, get us into trouble: "Isaiah 55:8 For my thoughts [are] not your thoughts, neither [are] your ways my ways, saith the LORD...". Thank you also for your reference to Paul's letter to the Corinthians. You help me make my point. If you go back and read the replies to my original and sincere concern, you will see a gentleness, caring and respect that is missing in too many of the more topical and popular discussions.
 
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Bryancampbell

Guest
#20
#20
I had no idea I was not supposed to talk to people who are drunk. I met a guy and he seemed to know the bible more than me & my friends put together while drunk, quoted scripture specifically while drunk. He is trying to get over it,, it's a burden he is facing,, please pray for him. Can someone give me a verse on this?
 
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